Inside the other Miami design festival

01

.

18

In early December, the frenetic, four-day bacchanal known as Art Basel takes over Miami - but did you know about its sister festival?

As if there weren't enough gallery previews, fashion soirees and pool parties to attend, there are now 20 satellite fairs unfolding at precisely the same time. The most esteemed is Design Miami, a sister event that sheds a light on collectible, covetable furniture. Even better, it's entirely open to the public.

Here, the world's leading galleries assemble to showcase museum-quality 20th and 21st-century furniture, lighting and decorative objects. The fair is predicated on the idea that furniture has become as valuable as blue-chip art. But it's not just a marketplace for Russian oligarchs shopping for their summer dachas. There are cultural events, panel discussions, and singular commissions from top talent.

Each year, the fair highlights a design luminary; previous winners have included Zaha Hadid, Marc Newson and industrial designer Yves Behar. New York-based SHoP Architects will be honoured with the 2016 Panerai Design Miami/Visionary Award, and the firm has been commissioned to mount a pavilion at the entrance to the fair. ShoP's plaza is a 3D-printed installation that resembles an alien construction.

Click through our slideshow for a glimpse at some of the most important pieces on show at this year's fair - from the Haas Brothers' whimsical sculptures to Niek Pulle's eye-catching chairs and Gloria Cortina's polished brass tables. This is design inspo in its most extravagant form.

A note about relevant advertising

We collect information about the content (including ads) you use across this site and use it to make both advertising
and content more relevant to you on our network and other sites. This is also known as Online Behavioural
Advertising. You can find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out here